Four area football players featured on KNIA/KRLS this past fall were selected to play in a showcase of some of Iowa’s best high school seniors.
Luke Mulder of Pella Christian, Sage Burns of PCM, CJ Kuehl of Indianola, and Ethan Carlson of Norwalk were chosen to compete on the South Roster of the 2021 Iowa Shrine Bowl. The four were recognized at a special event Wednesday evening in Altoona (pictured above).
Mulder, who is continuing his football career at Division II powerhouse Minnesota State this fall, was a Class 1A 2nd team All-State selection from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association and 1st team honors from the Des Moines Register. His 21 tackles for loss were the most in 1A and 7.5 sacks ranked 3rd best, and both marks earned him Eagles’ school records.
Burns from PCM was one of the top running backs in Class 2A as a senior as part of the UNI Dome semifinalists. He was 6th in the class with 16 rushing touchdowns, averaging 8 yards per carry.
Kuehl was selected as a utility player on the class 4A All-State 3rd team for his work on the defensive side of the ball, getting three interceptions and making 22 tackles while splitting time as the starting quarterback.
Carlson had over 1,000 yards receiving on the season to lead class 3A with 1,027, and was tied for third in the class with 10 receiving touchdowns, and was selected to the Class 3A 1st team.
Hear more from the four athletes participating in the 2021 Shrine Bowl on next week’s edition of the Radio Sports Page, airing on Wednesday 4/7 at 6 p.m. and Thursday 4/8 at 10 a.m. on KNIA/KRLS.
Pleasantville Cheerleader Taryn Brent was also selected to perform during the event on Saturday, July 24th at the University of Northern Iowa.
The Iowa Shrine Bowl features selected pre-college football athletes on each side of a north-south dividing line in Iowa, with participating athletes helping to raise funds for The Shriners Hospitals For Children.
Recent Shrine Bowl players and coaches from KNIA/KRLS Area Teams:
2020 – Mason Heurter (Pella), Grant Hixson (Indianola), Seth Greiner (PCM), Cale Anthony (Pleasantville)
2019 – Ryan Gustafson (Pella), Nathan De Bruin (Pella Christian), Noah Treimer (Pella Christian), Wes Cummings (PCM)
2018 – Lucas Warner (Pella), Alex Huisman (Pella Christian), Hunter Tyree (Pleasantville)
2017 – Nick Finney (Pella), David Kacmarynski (Pella Christian), Luke Greiner (PCM), Will Anthony (Pleasantville), Jake Crozier (Twin Cedars), Rich Kacmarynski – assistant coach (Pella Christian)
2016 – Noah Clayberg (Pella), Brock Caviness (Knoxville)
2015 – Tanner Dunkin (Knoxville), Chase Wetterling (Melcher-Dallas)
2014 – Nathan Clayberg – captain (Pella), Jay McKinstrey – head coach (Pella)
2013 – Aaron Crossett (Knoxville), Ethan Kain (PCM), Greg Bonnett – assistant coach (PCM)
2012 – Grant Gustafson (Pella), Hutch Burns (PCM)
2011 – Kyle Nikkel (Pella Christian)
2010 – Blaine Forsythe (Pella)
2009 – Austin Steenhoek (Pella), Eli Groenendyk (Pella Christian), Seth Streeter (PCM)